Pinnacle Agriculture Holdings LLC has acquired the assets of 3-D Chemicals LLC, 3-D Chemicals Inc., 3-D Fertilizer LLC, and 3-D Fertilizer Inc., headquartered in St. Martinville, La.
3-D currently operates two locations in Louisiana – one in St. Martinville and another in New Iberia – along with associated warehouses, primarily servicing the sugarcane growing area in Louisiana west of the Atchafalaya Basin.
Kenny Cordell, CEO of Pinnacle, described 3-D as a “fine operation and a marquee brand,” and said the purchase adds to Pinnacle’s growing portfolio. In September 2012, Pinnacle formed a strategic partnership with Jimmy Sanders Inc. (GM Sept. 17, 2013), one of the largest family-owned agricultural input supply and distribution businesses in the Mid-South region, to pursue the development of a national agricultural input distribution network.
Pinnacle followed the Jimmy Sanders announcement with the acquisition in December 2012 of G&H Seed Company Inc. and its related company, Liq-Quick Fertilizer Co. Inc., based in Crowley, La. (GM Dec. 7, 2012).
“With the acquisition of 3-D, Pinnacle gains further access into the important and valuable South Louisiana sugarcane market,” Cordell said. “Together with G&H Seed Company, 3-D will operate as a significant member of the Jimmy Sanders team, providing high quality inputs and full-service capabilities to Southern growers.”
3-D was founded in 1976 by David Degeyter, whom Cordell hailed as a “highly respected veteran in the sugar cane industry.”
“I am excited to become part of an organization whose principles mirror those of 3-D and its staff,” said Degeyter. “With the experience, network, and resources of both Pinnacle and Jimmy Sanders, we intend to substantially enhance our product and service offerings and continue working tirelessly for our valued customers.”
Pinnacle was established in June 2012 by Apollo Global Management LLC, the investment firm that purchased United Agri Products North America in 2003 from ConAgra Foods Inc. (GM Nov. 3, 2003), and then formed UAP Holding Corp., which it sold to Agrium Inc. in 2007 (GM Dec. 10, 2007).
Apollo also formed Compass Minerals Corp., the salt and specialty potash company based in Overland Park, Kan., in 2001 through the purchase of IMC Global’s salt assets. Apollo sold its Compass shares in 2004 (GM Nov. 29, 2004).
Pinnacle’s mission is to create a “best in class crop input provider in the U.S.” through acquisitions and greenfield retail establishment. The company plans to be a top 5 retail supplier by 2017, providing services to growers in all major agricultural regions in the U.S.